Smart Parking

An overview of smart parking solutions currently on the market. View wireless providers, case studies and data platform offerings.

June 4, 2018

Smart parking systems aim to take the stress out of finding a parking space in city centers where it is estimated that up to 30% of all cars in the city are looking for parking spots at a given time.

With connected smart parking, an app on your phone can alert you to available spaces and guide you to the exact location. This reduction in customer stress encourages positive consumer habits, leading to a more profitable business with happier customers.

Most smart parking systems operate based on a connected network of electromagnetic sensors. An initial setup is required, in which sensor units are placed in every parking spot, mapped to a specific geo-location, and integrated into a network.

Battery life is meant to last years, and some providers even claim a decade of operation before requiring a new power source. The sensors then continually monitor the magnetic field overhead for changes that are induced by a large amount of metal (such as a car). It then causes an alert when there is a significant change, signifying either a spot has just been occupied or vacated.